ACCO1084 Management Accounting and Ethics in Organisations Course Guide 2013-14 SEGI version-1

BUSINESS SCHOOLCourse Study Guide2013–14

SEGI

Management Accounting andEthics in OrganisationsACCO1084

Contents

1. WELCOME................................................................3

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE.............................................4

2.1 AIMS..................................................................4

2.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES.......................................................4

2.2.1 Knowledge and understanding of:..............................................................................................4

2.2.2 Intellectual Skills:.......................................................................................................................... 5

2.2.3 Subject practical skills:............................................................................................................5

2.2.4 Transferable skills:........................................................................................................................ 5

2.3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES...........................................5

3. CONTACT DETAILS........................................................6

4. COURSE CONTENT AND DESIGN..............................................7

4.1 SESSION PLAN...........................................................7

4.2 SESSION REQUIRED READING................................................10

5. ASSESSMENT DETAILS....................................................11

5.1 SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT...................................................11

5.2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASSESSMENT......................................11

6. OTHER DETAILS.........................................................16

ACCO1084, Management Accounting and Ethics in Organisations 2013-14 SEGI 2

1. WelcomeWelcome to SEGI College and the University of Greenwich Business School, and a particular welcome to the course Management Accounting and Ethics in Organisations (ACCO 1084).

This course is designed to develop core skills in both the subject area and in general undergraduate level academic areas and although we do expect you to work hard, you should be more than rewarded by added employability that comes from being skilled in this area.

As its name implies, this course is designed to introduce you to the decision making element of accounting by analysing and practicing some of techniques available within cost accounting and also gaining an understanding of the ethical and organisational impact that these techniques can have within organisations. Much of what you learn in this course should integrate with the other courses on the programme.For example, there are large overlaps of shared knowledge between Financial and cost accounting and in addition as you proceed through your degree you will build upon the skills you acquire in this coursewithin future courses, in particular Management Accounting and Current Issues in Management Accounting. As you study this course make sure you look for these linkages and try to integrate your understandings.

This document outlines the course’s main features and provides you with the key information you need during the course but if you have any queries about the running of this course please don’t hesitate tocontact us.

Dr Gerhard Kristandl


2. Introduction to the CourseCost accounting is very much integrated with Management accounting. “Management accounting combines accounting, finance and management with leading edge techniques needed to drive successful businesses. It combines technical skills with business and management skills.” (Weetman, 2010: 2). This course provides opportunities for students to select and apply their learning to specific contexts relevant to some of the topical business problems discussed on a daily basis within the news.

2.1 AimsManagement Accounting draws on a number of academic areas but has keyfoundations in the areas of Cost Accounting, Organisational Behaviourand Corporate Social Responsibility. The aim of term 1 of this courseis for students to able to understand the business environment in which these techniques are applied. In term two the focus of this course is to understand and apply cost accounting techniques. A further aim is for students near the beginning of their accountancy course to develop conceptual frameworks that can be used throughout their degree programme as tools in which to analyse organisational activity.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

2.2.1 Knowledge and understanding of:On completing this course successfully the student will be able to:

Evaluate the business environment and the influences this has on how organisations and accountants operate.

Appreciate how managerial, professional and business functions contribute to an efficient, effective, and ethical organisation.

Understand a range of ethical issues whilst reflecting on organisational ethical values and behaviour.

Understand the basic concepts and processes used to determine product and service costs.


Appreciate how costs can be classified for decision making purposes.

Explain the role of budgets and standard costing within organisations.

Describe some of the major historical influences on the development of theories of organisational management and to explain the relevance of these ideas for understanding current organisational problems.


2.2.2 Intellectual Skills:On completing this course successfully the student will be able to:

Explain some of the theoretical approaches to understanding people's behaviour at work and relate them to the practice of management and management accounting in organisations.

Describe the nature of the manager's role in organisations including their involvement in leadership and managing change.

Evaluate the role of professional ethics in organisations.

2.2.3 Subject practical skills:On completing this course successfully the student will be able to:

Prepare a basic cost accounting statement.

2.2.4 Transferable skills:On completing this course successfully the student will be able to:

Use raw cost information to produce management information reports.

2.3 Learning and teaching activitiesThe course will use formal lectures to introduce students to the basic areas of knowledge. These lectures will be supported by seminars and computer-based exercises can be developed. Seminars willbe mainly used for students to develop and demonstrate their appreciation of the organisational context of cost accounting.


3. Contact DetailsBelow you will find the contact details of the course leaders at University of Greenwich, UK. However, always attempt to contact your local tutors if you have any questions or concerns.

Room Email address

Course Leader

Dr Gerhard Kristandl QA257 [email protected]

Admin Programme Coordinator

Elvina Moonien QM245 [email protected]

Please see your programme handbook for more detail


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

4. Course Content and Design

4.1 Session Plan

Wk Session Title and Description Reading to complete

1 N/a New arrival week (induction)2 Lectur

eIntroduction to the nature & structure of organisations

Catchpowle (2010), chapters 1 & 2

Seminars

Getting to know your tutor – who we are, what we expect from you, and what you can expect from us, and how to approach your upcoming presentations

3 Lecture

Different approaches to management in organisations – classical/humanistic/contingency

Catchpowle (2010), chapter 2

Seminars

(SEGI picks introductory topic)

4 Lecture

Nature of management/leadership andteam-working

Catchpowle (2010), chapters 8, 10, 11, 12

Seminars

TechTarget case study

5 Lecture

Corporate value & management accounting I – managerial process of planning, decision making and control

Burns et al. (2013), chapter 7;Drury (2012), chapter 1

Seminars

Jack Welch case study

6 Lecture

Corporate value & management accounting II – strategic, tacticaland operational planning; planning for sustainability and CSR

Catchpowle (2010), chapters 1, 10, 14, 15

Seminars

Presentation groups 1A and 1B

7 Lecture

Reward systems, nature of reward and motivation, job satisfaction

Catchpowle (2010), chapter 7

Seminars

Manchester City FC case study

8 Lecture

Power and culture within organisations

Catchpowle (2010), tba

Semina Presentation groups 2A and 2B


rs9 Lectur

eEthical behaviour of management andmanagement accountants

Catchpowle (2010), chapters 1,7, 10, 14, 15

Seminars

Banking industry case study

10 Lecture

Managing change in organisations Catchpowle (2010), tba

Seminars

Worldcom case study

11 Lecture

What is management accounting? Introduction to relevant costing, difference between financial and management accounting

Burns et al., (2013), chapters 1, 2,13;Drury (2012), chapter 1

Seminars

News International case study

12 Lecture

Cost classification – definition ofcost; direct and indirect cost; variable and fixed cost

Burns et al. (2013), chapters 3, 12;Drury (2012), chapters 2, 8

Seminars

What is management accounting?

13 Lecture

Cost allocation method I: Blanket rates

Drury (2012), chapter 3

Seminars

Cost classification – definition of cost

14 Lecture

Cost allocation method II: Departmental rates

Drury (2012), chapter 3

Seminars

Cost allocation method I: Blanket rates

15 Lecture

Cost allocation method III: Activity Based Costing

Burns et al. (2013), chapter 6;Drury (2012), chapter 11

Seminars

Cost classification method II: Departmental rates

16 Lecture

Marginal/absorption costing Burns et al. (2013), chapter 5;Drury (2012), chapter 10

Seminars

Cost classification method III: ABC

17 Lectur Job/Process Costing I Burns et al. ACCO1084, Management Accounting and Ethics in Organisations 2013-14 SEGI 9

e (2013), chapter 4;Drury (2012), chapters 4, 5

Seminars

Marginal/absorption costing

18 Lecture

Process Costing II Burns et al. (2013), chapter 4;Drury (2012), chapter 5

Seminars

Job/Process Costing I

19 Lecture

Budgeting and budgets; behavioural budgeting

Burns et al. (2013), chapters 7, 8;Drury (2012), chapter 15

Seminars

Process Costing II

20 Lecture

Cash budgets Burns et al., (2013), chapter 8;Drury (2012), chapter 15

Seminars

Budgeting and budgets

21 Lecture

Basic variance analysis Burns et al. (2013), chapter 9;Drury (2012), chapter 17

Seminars

Cash budgets

22 Lecture

Cost-volume profit Burns et al. (2013), chapter 11;Drury (2012), chapter 8

Seminars

Basic variance analysis

23 Lecture

Management accounting in review – lessons learnt

Lecture notes

Seminars

Cost –volume profit

24 Lecture

Revision session I – case study section A

Revision booklet

Seminars

25 Lectur Revision session II – selected Revision


e topic section B bookletSeminars

26 Lecture

Revision session III – selected topic section B

Revision booklet

Seminars

Colour coding:Light red

Section A: Ethical, organisational and managerial topics

White Section B: Managemen Accounting topics

Light purple

Optional sessions depending on time available; there need to be at least two revision sessions provided


4.2 Session Required ReadingReference Key aspects to considerManagement theories, ethical and organisational theoriesCompiled by L. Catchpowle (2010) Management and Organisational Behaviour in an Ethical Context. PearsonCustom Publishing

This book has been especially designed for the course. Please refer to specific chapters which accompany the weekly lectures.

This course is extremely topical so it is essential that you read a good quality newspaper – such as the Financial Times – in orderto obtain a practical up-to-minute understanding of the current events.

George J.M & Jones, R G (2005).Understanding and Managing Organizational Behaviour . Pearson Prentice Hall: Fourth edition.

Fisher, C & Lovell, A, Business Ethicsand values. FT Prentice Hall: Second edition

Huczynski, A.A & Buchanan , D.A, (2007) Organisational Behaviour FT Prentice Hall: Sixth edition

Mullins, L.J (2008) Management and organisational behaviour. FT Pitman: 8thedition

Robins, S.P. (2005) Organisational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall: Eleventh edition

There are several editions of these books in the library. All of the editions are appropriate.

Cost & management accountingDrury, C. (2012), Management and Cost Accounting. 8th ed. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1-40806-431-3

This is the main text book for the cost and management accounting topics. It is vital that you are able to understand the techniques we cover in a realworld setting; therefore you are


not only encouraged to read good quality newspapers but also examine the case studies providedin this text book.

Burns, J./Quinn, M./Warren, L./Oliveira, J. (2013), ManagementAccounting, 1st ed. McGraw-Hill, eText ISBN-10 0-07-712161-9, printISBN-13 978-0-07-712161-7

This is additional reading for cost and management accounting inorder to support your self-directed learning. You are encouraged to consult this book in addition to Drury (2012) for better understanding of the respective topics. . Note that this is also the main text book in the year 2 “ACCO1095 Management Accounting” course.


5. Assessment Details

5.1 Summary of assessment

Assessment Title

Weight towards final grade

Length Due Date Anticipated Return Date

Header Sheet number

Portfolio 10% 2000 –3,000 words

Please refer to your local requirements

Essay 30% 1,500 – 2,000 words


Examination 60% 3 Hours


5.2 Detailed description of assessment

Assignment 1: Portfolio (10%)This is to be submitted as a PDF file on Moodle.

The portfolio will consist of the following: A presentation (see below) One exercise selected from the course (see below)

1. The (Group) presentation:

Students will be divided into groups (in their seminars) and allocated one of the presentation topics:


Presentation 1:

Organisations seek to improve through efficiency and effectiveness. What contribution does the classical theory of Scientific Management make towards this aim? Describe and critically evaluate the theory.

Some Guidance

o Outline the theory of scientific management; highlight itsstrengths & weaknesses. Provide some practical examples (i.e.Ford Motors, MacDonald’s, Call Centres, the National HealthService (NHS) to illustrate your arguments

o Evaluate the theory; outline what contribution it can make to theefficiency and effectiveness of organisations. Use examples ofmodern organisations to support your conclusions

o Look at the readings provided, search for articles on the internet, journals, newspapers etc. to identify a range of important issues which are affecting modern organisations.

Presentation 2:

Why are the main contributions teams can make to an organisation? Identify and evaluate the conditions necessary in organisations if people are to work effectively in teams.

Some guidance:- Describe what teams are. Outline the different types of teams,

and explain how they differ from groups . Use practical examplesto illustrate your points

Apply current theory and research about team/group behaviour, for example: Hawthorne Studies on group formation, structure, processes, control and effectiveness; Belbin on what different types of people you need for successful teams.

Consider the right environment for the facilitation of teams. Show an understanding of the different purposes teams serve Illustrate how teams can benefit organisations Remember to illustrate your points with practical examples -

Look at the readings provided, search for articles on the internet, journals, newspapers etc. to identify a range of important issues which are affecting modern organisations

Presentation 3:


What is an effective manager and why are they important to thesuccess of organisation?

Some guidance:-

Provide a brief description of what is an effective manager.Provide some practical examples

o Look at the work of Fayol, Taylor, and the research of Mintzberg and Rosemary Stewart describing the manager’s role. Outline the work of each and try and understand/explain how these theories are different. Identify their strengths and weaknesses.

o Is the role of a manager changing? What qualities would you look for in selecting people who will make effective managers?

o Remember to illustrate your points with practical examples- Look at the readings provided, search for articles on the internet, journals, newspapers etc. to identify a range of important issues which are affecting modern organisations

Presentation 4:

What is corporate social responsibility? Describe and evaluate the social responsibilities or obligations of organisations. Canthese be reconciled with a company’s need to maximise profits?

Some guidance:o Outline what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is o Describe and then proceed to evaluate (strengths and

weaknesses) of CSRo What social obligations and responsibilities should

organisations have. Provide practical examples to illustrate your points.

o Explain whether companies can satisfy both profit and socialneeds and obligations.

Look at the readings , search for articles in journals, on the internet, newspapers etc. to identify a range of important issues which are affecting modern organisations.

******************************************************************************** The group will carry out research and together present their

findings


You have 20 mins overall, 15 mins for the presentation, 5 mins forquestions and answers. You will also receive feedback on the presentation by your tutor.

A bibliography should be presented to allow the tutor to give guidance on the quality of the material used.

The presentation will not be formally assessed in the class; however the purpose of the whole exercise should help individual students complete their final essay and exam.

You should then submit the slides and a bibliography to the portfolio jointly with the exercise (see below).

All students must complete a presentation: Failure to complete a presentation will mean that the student has failed to complete thecourse.

2. One exercise

You should choose any one of the case studies attempted in the class.Please note that this written exercise is NOT an essay!

You can choose any one of the following four topics. They should be aminimum of 1,000 words, but no more than 1,100 words (more will be penalised). You simply answer the questions, no bibliography is required, but you can insert citations into your answers

Case study: ‘I detest bureaucracy’, TechTarget.

Case study: Can Leaders justify the ends?

Case study : Manchester City FC & corporate social responsibility

The portfolio will be assessed on the quality of information, any reasoning and analysis and general written presentation. Each component will have equal weighting within the portfolio (presentation & bibliography 50%; written exercise 50%). Please do not forget to add the word count at the end of your work.


Assignment 2: Essay (30%) This should be submitted via Moodle. Please note that disregarding the requirements below will result in a lower mark for your essay! You are required to write an extended essay of no more than 2,000 words on the following topic:

“CSR will be a game changer in future business - critically discuss”

Hints: You should analyse the academic journals, professional (CIMA &ACCA) literature and other sources such as the Economist and good quality newspapers to support your discussion.

Students should NOT simply as assume the title of this essay is a fact, it is NOT, this is a statement. The critical analysis is KEY to this essay.

You must use the following article within your work as well as otherswhich you have found throughout your own research, failure to do so will severely reduce your grade. We expect a minimum of five academicjournal articles to be used plus other sources mentioned above, the other articles should not be simply ones you have taken from this article:

Trendafilova, S., Babiak, K., Heinze, K. (2013), “Corporatesocial responsibility and environmental sustainability: Whyprofessional sport is greening the playing field” SportManagement Review (article in press)

Wikipedia and websites as well as CIMA & ACCA literature do not countas academic journals!

This article must be cited in your essay and referenced in your bibliography. Please do not forget to add the word count at the end of your work.

You should use the library search tool to find this journal. This is located on the students’ portal under ‘IT and library’. The university has full access to this article you do NOT have to pay for it.

=========================================================== Marking Criteria Mark

s


Structure of the assignment

Does the essay set up a clear essay question to address? Is the essay well organised and logically constructed to achieve synthesis while being mindful of the needs of the reader?

20%

Evidence of information gathering (citations), and quality of information presented – evidence of appropriate academic or practitioner literature used

Does the essay bring together the literature in a significant manner that addresses an essay question?

20%

Reasoning and analysis

Does the essay indicate a comprehensive understanding of the topic area and literature discussed?

25%

Quality of written presentation Is the essay clearly written, spell checked and grammatically sound and referenced appropriately?

20%

Provision of logical and coherent conclusions and recommendations . Has the essay summarised the main points andarguments and addressed the question?

5%

Bibliography details 10%

100%

Assignment 3: Exam In term 3 you will be expected to complete an exam worth 60% of you course grade. It will be a closed book exam and the duration of the exam will be three hours. This will be an unseen examination, examining both cost accountingand organisational behaviour. The examination will not only test yourknowledge, but your ability to think about the significance of theideas the course has considered and to relate your understanding tothe real world of organisations. The exam consists of two sections; section A will focus on a minicase study which is presented to you for the first time in the exam.You will then have one compulsory essay question to answer in sectionA which will relate to the material you studied in term 1 and thecase study you have been given – this is worth 25 marks of the exam.In section B you will be presented with four questions, one essay,one full numeric question and two part numeric and part narrativequestions. Each question is worth 25 marks and you have to choose


three out of the four questions that you would like to answer. Thesequestions will relate to the material covered in terms 2 and 3. If you would like to be more familiar with the layout of the exam, past exams will be made available on Moodle well in time before the exam.


6. Other DetailsThe majority of information relevant to you while you study at the University has been brought together into your programme handbook. Please refer to your programme handbook for any further information you might require including:

How to submit assignments,

Deadlines and extenuating circumstances,

Plagiarism and referencing,

Who to go to for advice or if you are concerned,

How to provide us with feedback,

Key administrative procedures.


ACCO1084 Management Accounting and Ethics in Organisations Course Guide 2013-14 SEGI version-1

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